Reflector for automobiles or the like



Nov. 5, 1957 E. B. M CABE 2,811,899

REFLECTOR FOR AUTOMOBILES OR THE LIKE Filed May 19. 1955 pint;- d

3/ 50 25 71 INVENTORY V LdmondB.M Cabe AGENT This invention relates to reflectors for automobiles or the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a reflector for automobiles or the like which may be mounted in a convenient and attractive manner on any smooth surface without the necessity of boring unsightly holes, effecting an obvious economy of time thereby.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a reflector of the above type which will permit car owners to mount reflectors on many parts of an auto where it would otherwise be impractical to mount them due to the limitations of conventional reflectors.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a reflector of the above type which will promote the use of reflectors by motorists to reduce thereby the hazards of night time driving.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a reflector bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, has a minimum number of parts, is easy to use and efficient in operation.

For other objects and a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view shown partly in section of the suction cup member forming a part of the invention and illustrating a preferred embodiment, the suction cup member being shown prior to mounting on the sup porting surface;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof but showing the suction cup member in vacuum engagement with the supporting surface;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view shown partly in section and broken away of the dress plate forming another part of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a side view shown partly in elevation and partly in section of the reflector forming another part of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing the parts of Figs. 1 through 4 in operative engagement with each other and mounted upon the supporting surface;

Fig. 6 is a top plan View of a modified form of the present invention shown in assembled relation;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a modified form of Fig. 6, with the parts shown in assembled relationship;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the modified reflector element ofFigs. 6 and 7 shown alone;

Fig. 9 is a verticalsectional view through the modified form of the invention of Figs. 6 through 8 showing the parts in assembled relationship; and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through a portion of the suction cup member, and illustrating the slot therein.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, and more particularly to Figs. 1 through 5, there is shown a suction cup member indicated generally at 10 including the hollow, hemispherical portion 11 of rubber or rubber- ,dred States Patent ice 2 like plastic integrally formed at its top with the solid cylindrical body portion 12, substantially as illustrated. As shown in Fig. 2, when the suction cup member 10 is in vacuum engagement with the supporting surface 13, the

hollow portion 11 will assume a frusto-conical shape, as

will be obvious. An externally threaded stud 14 of metal, plastic or other suitable material is fixedly mounted in the upper end at the central portion thereof of the body 12 for a purpose which will hereinafter become clear.

A dress plate member indicated generally at 15 is provided and includes a hollow frusto-conical portion 16 adapted to overlie the suction cup member, the smaller upper end of the frusto-conical portion 16 being integrally formed with the depending internal skirt 17 of cylindrical shape and adapted to fit downwardly onto the lower portion of the cylindrical body portion 12, as shown in Fig. 5. Thus, after the suction cup member 10 is in vacuum engagement with the supporting surface 13, as shown in Fig. 2, the dress plate 15 will be placed downwardly thereon with the skirt 17 surrounding the lower portion of the body portion 12 of the suction cup member, the lower edge of the skirt 17 resting on the frustoconical portion 11 of the suction cup member. It will be noted (Fig. 5) that the lower edge of the dress plate member 15 is freely spaced from the supporting surface 13 whereby to prevent any scratching of the latter. The dress plate 15 will be formed of aluminum or chrome metal inany desired color. It will be noted that the upper end of the body portion 12 extends upwardly beyond the upper edge of the dress plate 15 for a purpose which will hereinafter become clear.

A reflector indicated generally at 18 is provided and includes a' hollow hemispherical body portion 19 of plastic integrally formed on the inside thereof at the highest pointwith a central depending core 20 extending partially' downwardly therewithin, the core 20 being, provided' with an internally threaded opening 21 adapted to receive upwardly therewithin in threaded engagement the stud 14 previously described. The interior of the reflector body 19 is integrally formed with the plurality of beads 22 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art whereby toreflect light to oncoming motorists or the like. The body 19 is provided with a cylindrical bore 22 at the bottom thereof which communicates with the lower open end of the reflector along a frusto-conical enlarged bore 23.

After the dress plate 15 is in the operative position on the suction cup member 10, the reflector 18 is screwed downwardly onto the stud 14, to complete the asssembly- It will be noted that the frusto-conical upper end of the reflector dress plate 15 is received within the frusto-conical bore 23' of the reflector and that the upper end of the body portion 12 of the suction cup member is received within the bore 22". The upper end of the body portion 12 of the suction cup member which extends above the upper end of the dress plate is compressed within the bore 22" of the reflector 18 so that a steady pressure will be maintained on the reflector member so as to prevent it from loosening or unscrewing.

It will be readily apparent that the suction cup member 10 may be mounted on any smooth surface merely by depressing it, to effect an obvious economy of time in mounting the reflector as well as to permit it to be.

mounted on any smooth surface of the car. The necessity of boring holes will also be eliminated to efiect an economy of time and material.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 6 through 10, there is shown a modified form of the present invention including a suction cup member of rubber or rubber-like plastic, indicated generally at 25 and including a hollow, normally hemispherical portion 26 integrally formed at its top with the cylindrical solid body portion 27 having a hemispherical upper end 28 for a purpose which will hereinafter become clear. The hemispherical upper end 28 is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed arcuate slots 29, the slots 29 extending through substantially ninety degree intervals and being rotated 180 degrees with respect to each other. Each of the slots 29 has an enlarged end 30 which extends through the top of the hemispherical member, for a purpose which will hereinafter become clear, each of the slots 29 tapering downwardly slightly from the enlarged ends 30. The upper portion of each of the slots is also formed with the corrugated portions 31, also for a purpose which will hereinafter become clear.

A dress plate of aluminum or chrome metal of varying colors indicated generally at 32 is provided and consists of a hollow frusto-conical body portion 33 adapted to fit downwardly onto the suction cup member when the latter is in vacuum engagement with the supporting surface 13, as shown in Fig. 9.

It will be noted that the smaller open upper end of the dress plate 32 is supported by the upper end of the cylindrical body portion 27 of the suction cup memher, with the larger lower end of the dress plate being supported by the lower edge of the frusto-conical portion 26 with the lower end of the dress plate in spaced relationship to the supporting surface 13 whereby to prevent scratching.

A reflector indicated generally at 34 of plastic or glass is provided and includes a hollow hemispherical body portion 35 having a smooth lower interior surface 36 and an upper beaded interior surface 37, as shown in Fig. 8. The interior surface 36 is integrally formed with the oppositely disposed inwardly extending studs 38 and communicates with the lower open end of the reflector through the frusto-conical enlarged bore 39.

The outside surface of the reflector body 35 at the bottom thereof is integrally formed with the four equiangularly spaced ribs 40 at ninety degree intervals to facilitate the gripping of the reflector 34 and the mounting of the same on the suction cup member and dress plate, as will be obvious.

In operation, the suction cup member 25 is depressed on the mounting surface 13 to bring the hollow portion thereof into the frusto-conical shape of Fig. 9 whereupon the dress shield 32 is positioned thereover, as shown in Fig. 6. The reflector 34 is then gripped by means of the ribs 40 and placed so that the studs 38 thereof move downwardly into the enlarged ends 30 of the slots 29 in the suction cup member. The reflector is then pressed downwardly and rotated through ninety degrees so that the studs 38 are received in the lower smaller ends of the slots 29 to complete the locking action. The slots 29 are molded in the suction cup member so as to provide a snug fit for the projections 38 of the reflector. It will be noted that the slots 29 slope downwardly toward the base of the suction cup member, so that in rotating the reflector ninety degrees the dress shield or plate 32 will be in pressurized contact with the reflector and suction cup member. It will be noted that the inside beaded surface of the reflector conforms generally to the hemispherical upper end 28 of the suction cup member and in such a way as to compress the beaded inner surface of the reflector against the hemispherical rubber surface to thereby exert a pressure in all directions and prevent the reflector from becoming loose. It will be noted that the beaded surface 37 of hte reflector produces the reflection of light as well as a binding eflect with the hemisphericalsurface 28 of the suction cup member.

' The corrugations 31 will exert a locking action upon the studs 38 of the reflector to prevent the latter from becoming loose.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A reflector comprising suction cup means, dress plate means adapted to fit downwardly onto said suction cup means, with said suction cup means extending upwardly through the open upper end of said dress plate means, reflector means adapted to fit onto the upper end of said suction cup means with said dress plate means therebetween, and releasable, interlocking means connecting said reflector means and said suction cup means with said dress plate means therebetween, said suction cup means comprising a hollow, substantially hemispherical body portion integrally formed at its upper end with a solid cylindrical portion, said dress plate means comprising a hollow, substantially frusto-conical member adapted to fit downwardly over said hemispherical suction cup portion when the latter is in vacuum engagement with the supporting surface and assumes a substantially frustoconical shape with the upper end of said frusto-conical plate being supported on said cylindrical solid portion and the lower end thereof in freely spaced relationship to the supporting surface, said reflector means comprising a hollow, substantially hemispherical reflector body having a beaded interior upper surface, the lower interior surface of said reflector body having a pair of oppositely disposed studs, said cylindrical portion of said suction cup member being integrally formed at the upper end thereof with a substantially hemispherical portion adapted to be received within said hollow reflector body, said hemispherical portion-having a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet slots adapted to receive said studs therewithin in locking engagement upon rotation of said reflector body.

2. A reflector according to claim 1, said slots having enlarged ends piercing the top of said hemispherical portion and adapted to receive said studs downwardly therewithin, said slots extending downwardly slightly away from said enlarged ends whereby to compress said dress plate upon rotational movement of said reflector body and studs.

3. A reflector according to claim 2, said slots along the upper edges thereof being corrugated whereby to effect a locking action with said studs and to prevent the loosening of said reflector body.

4. A reflector according to claim 3, said beaded interior surface of said reflector body being adapted to engage the hemispherical portion of the suction cup member, said reflector body having a frusto-conical enlarged bore at the lower end thereof receiving upwardly therewithin the upper end of said dress plate.

5. A reflector according to claim 4, said reflector body on the outer surface thereof near the lower end being integrally formed with angularly spaced ribs whereby to facilitate the rotational movement thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 577,436 Lenz Feb. 23, 1897 1,207,155 Frank Dec. 5, 1916 1,772,439 Garbs Aug. 5, 1930 2,634,077 Van Dusen Apr. 7, 1953 2,690,094 Becker Sept. 28, 1954 

